Nephrology (Kidney Disease)

HYPERTENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE)

Nephrology is the study of kidney function, kidney problems, the treatment of kidney problems, and renal replacement therapy (dialysis and kidney transplantation).

Patients are seen by a physician specializing in nephrology for various reasons such as: acute renal failure, chronic kidney disease, hematuria, proteinuria, kidney stones, hypertension, and disorders of acid/base or electrolytes.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a chronic medical condition in which blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. Blood pressure is made up of two measurements, systolic and diastolic, which depend on whether the heart muscle is contracting (systole) or relaxed between beats (diastole).

Hypertension puts strain on the heart, leading to hypertensive heart disease and coronary artery disease. Hypertension is a major risk factor for stroke, aneurysms of the arteries, peripheral arterial disease, and chronic kidney disease.